Rotary table structure



May 18, 1954 y J, v, DAVls 2,678,719

ROTARY TABLE STRUCTURE Filed July 20, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l May 18, 1954 1 v DAV|$ 2,678,719

ROTARY TABLE STRUCTURE Filed July 20, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l INVENTOR.

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Patented May 18, 1954 RGTARY TABLE STRUCTURE.

Jyolin.

Vi, Davis; Detroit, Michl., assignerV to The- Illylite.` Corporation, Detroit,.Mich. a corporali` tion oi'Dclaware:

Application J'uly' Z0, 1949,I Serial' No. 105349. 9. Claims. (Cl. ISS-209 )e They present* invention pei-bains toaiY novel rotary table for carrying work on; which: mechanical operations are toi be performed. The rotary top of the table-carries fixtures on which nie work pieces' are mounted, andthe pieces are thus. brought by' an intermittent motion tov the machines byfwliich they are worked on.

One of thel objects ofi the invention: is to provide a. table structure that: is: rigidi and well braced! without being tooL heavy.: Another objectV is to provide means for accurately levelling the tabletop.

Thefrst. object is accomplishedbyn the; use of a skeleton. structure consisting of horizontal and vertical barsv arranged'I in such a manner as to provide a high degree'l of" rigidity'. Wall' platesare detachably mou tedf on the skeleton or framework to form an enclosed structure andyet permit easy accessibility to the interior thereof.

En connection with. the-secondi obj-ectit i's extremely important to: have the-'tabley topa perfectly level in: order that-thefwork piecesmay come intoproper, alinement witht the stationary machines. Where the table toplis large; it'i"s-likely to become warped*` or distorted; andi i't is then practically impossible to level? itl satisfactorily.

This diihculty is overcome im the present ifovention by. constructing the table top'insections, one section iorV eachA fixture; with individualI means for levelling eachs section. The sections or naturev plates lie upon an outer ringl and an inner ring: EachA section i'sprovid'edt at each oi its: corners withy an adjusting screw bearing on one of the rings'. Bolts` are passed through theplates. and adacent ringsl and are tightened whenv the@ proper' aldil ustment has-'been made.

Further, the framework-ofthe table includes a series. of.'A outer. uprights. In each: upright is mounted av vertically adjustable bracket carryn'g a. roller, with meanszfor lockingI the desired; adjustment.V The rollers: are inI a` circular series; and the aforementioned outer ring rides thereon.. Thus; the rotary' table top is' iii-st levelled bodily` by adjustment of theI brackets, and' the fix-ture platesA are then' levelled`v individually, as

required, inithe mannerprevi'ofusly eet forth.

The inner'andfouterrings, inconjunction with radial spokegsecuredl to them, constitute a' rigid fra-me forv the table:V top. The inner' ring' serves the additional purpose of carrying-l a Geneva .vlieely towhichy theF intermittent; motion. is applied".

The invention is fully disclosed by way ofl ex.- ample in the following description and in. the accompanying drawings in which Fig-ure l is a plan view* of the machine, on the line I-l of'Figure 3;

Figure 2 is a section on ure 1-;

Fig-ure 3 is` a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1';

Figure 4 is a plan View oi one of the` iixture plates;

Fig-ure 5' is a section on the line 5--5`- of Figure 4;'

Figure 6 is a side Figure 7 is asection on the line- 2-2 of Figelevation of: the framework;

the line 'IL-F of Figure 3';

Figure 8 is a sectionP on the line BL-l of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig'- ure';

Reference to these views will now" be made' by use of like characters which are employed tov designate correspondingA parts throughout.

Thebase structure oftlremachineisshown in Figure 9; A number of channel; irons' If arey erected preferablyat the verticesv of a regular polygon. These` are j'oi'nedatv theirI lower ends by angle irons Z which meet at thev channels, with' the exception of two alternate angle irons 3 and" ll. The latter are prolonged beyond and` between two consecutive channels and areL joined byr a shorterl side 5'. Theg enclosure formedr by the members 2', 3i', 4 and 5 is larger ony one si'deoffa given centerline ofthe polygon than on the otherY side, for the purpose of accommode-tingv certain equipment as will presentlyl appear.

Two adjacent members lf are joined respectively to the opposite members I? by downwardly facing channel ironsv 6- i'n or neara the plane of the angle irons.. The remaining members l are joined' to theY members E by similar channels l which preferably lie-perpendicular to' the members Si A iirm and rigid vbottom structure is thereby obtained. The: joints are` preferablyf welded except where otherwise described'.

The members 6 are joined tov each other along aportion off their: lengthby a. series of' spaced2 downwardly facing: channels; 8. Onefor' two additional: connecting channels? Rf are spaced4 from the members: 8,. andthev space'.y isibridgedl by a pair of straps I0.; The; members 8f, t" and; IIUI serveto support apparatuswithintheframeworlc.

Somewhat below their; upper ends, the up-y righ-ts I.- areloraced` by an upper framework. Two; respectively toconsecutivemembers l.. arejoinedv the opposite.- members I: byy longitudinal. bars; Ifl@ preerably in. the. nature'.` ot inverted channel, irons. The last named members l are not those that are joined by the irons 6, but are selected so that the members are angular and preferably perpendicular to members 6. The uprights are thereby more uniformly braced and tied for substantially equal strength in all directions.

The uprights which are not joined to each other by the bars I! are joined to the latter by perpendicular bars or irons |2. Consecutive and parallel members I2 are inter-connected by bars I3 parallel to the members The members I| are inter-connected by spaced bars |4 perpendicular thereto and parallel to each other. A rigid upper framework is thereby provided to withstand the stresses and strains developed in the upper part of the machine, as will presently appear.

A mounting plate I5 is laid on the members 8 at the center of the polygon defined by the members The plate l5 is secured by bolts i 8 passed therethrough and threaded into ears il welded members 8, as shown in Figure 3. A vertical post I8 is seated in the plate I 5.

On the upper framework shown in Figure 8 ls secured another mounting plate IS for a purpose that will presently appear. A bearing 2|) for the post I8 (Figure 3) is suspended from the plate I9 through which the post also passes, whereby the post is maintained in an upright position.

A sleeve 2| is rotatably mounted on the post I8 over the plate I9 and rests on a ball bearing 22 upon the plate. The sleeve 2| contains liners 23 engaging the post. The upper end of the sleeve 2.| is flanged at 24, and unon the flange is fastened hub plate 25 by bolts 26.

In each of the outwardly facing upright channels I is mounted a slide bracket 2l (Figure 7) which is preferably of T crosssection. Bolts 28 fastened in the uprights I pass through vertical slots 29 in the brackets 2l. Each upright carries an ear 38 in which is threaded a vertical screw 3| engaging the bottom of the corresponding bracket, whereby the latter is adjusted vertically when the bolts 28 are loosened. When the proper adjustment has been made, a lock nut 32 on the screw 3| and nuts 83 (Figure 3) on the bolts 28 are tightened.

Each of the brackets 21 carries a horizontal axle 34 on which is mounted a roller 35 at the inner side of the bracket and projecting beyond the upper end thereof. The upper end of the corresponding upright I is suitably relieved at 38 to accommodate the roller.

An outer ring 3'! (Figure 3) is mounted on the rollers 35 to ride thereon. A number of radial spokes 38 are bolted at 39 to the ring 37 anii again at 4B to the center plate 25.

An inner ring 4| is suspended from the spokes 38 in concentric relation to the post I8 and ring 31. The ring 4I braces the-spokes and also supports a Geneva wheel 42 which serves the purpose described in my copending Patent Number 2,486,128 of October 25, 1949. In this connection, Figure 1 shows a roller 43 which guides a sprocket chain 44. The chain carries a pin 48 adapted to engage successively in slots 46 in the Wheel 42 to impart intermittent movement to the wheel e2, the rings '4| and 3?, the spokes 38 and parts carried by this structure as will presently be shown. To the wheel 42 is vertically attached a lever 4'! having one end 48 adapted to lock in a slot 46 and its other end 58 overlapping the adjacent slot. When the pin 45 enters the last named slot, it rocks the lever 41 to withdraw the end 48 from its slot and thereby permit the wheel .d 42 to turn. Between movements the end 48 holds the wheel 42 stationary.

Between each pair of consecutive spokes 38 is laid a fixture plate 50 lying between the rings 3l and 4|. Each corner of the plate 5D carries a leveling screw 5I bearing upon the ring 31 or 4| beneath it. Locking bolts 52 are provided at both sides of each screw V5| and pass through the underneath ring. When a plate has been properly levelled by the screws 5|, it is locked in position by the nuts 53 screwed on the bolts 52 and engaging the flanges of the rings 3'! and 4I.

The circles 54 on each plate 58 represent a work-supporting fixture which is not a part of the invention. The upper exposed end of the post I8 carries a collar 55 (Figure 3) on which is mounted a cam 58 which operates apparatus in conjunction with the fixtures set in the circles 54 and which also do not constitute a part of this invention.

Longitudinal passages 5l are drilled in the post I8 from its upper end and are covered by lubrication nipples 88. Radial ports 52 extend from the top edges to the sleeves 28.

Upon the plate I9 is mounted an electric motor 58 connected to a gear box 8| by a belt G2. The shaft 83 of the gear box drives one of the sprockets 84 and hence the chain 44.

A double collar 85 (Figure 3) loosely surrounding the post i8 is secured upon the center or hub plate 25 by the bolts 26. Upon the collarv 65 is secured a plate 67, by bolts 8l', associated with the operation of the xtures. On the uncovered parts of the spokes are laid sectoral plates 68, extending tothe xture plates 50 and preferably fastened by screws 88 to the spokes 38. The plates 58 are thus easily removed for access to the interior of the machine from the top.

The spaces between the uprights I are enclosed by walls plates 88. These plates are easily demountable and, for this purpose, are held in position by spring latches 88 carried by and entering the anges of the uprights. The larger side of the frame structure defined by the members 3, 4 and 5 is preferably enclosed in a hood also demountably held.

In the use of the machine, the table top represented by the portion riding on the rollers 35 is intermittently turned through the Geneva wheel 42 as already indicated. In this manner the nxtures at the stations or circles 54 are brought to the machines that operate on work carried by the fixtures. It is important, therefore, that the plates 58 move in a constant and horizontal4 plane. It has hitherto been difiicult to maintain the surface of a rotary table in perfect alinement because of its large size, its weight, and the warping or other deformations in a large and heavy structure. This is especially true if the top of the table consists of a single plate of metal, as is commonly the case.

The aforementioned diiiiculties are eliminated in the instant machine by the individual adjustment of the rollers 35 by their brackets 3l and of the plates 58 by the screws 5i at the corners thereof. Thus, the table top is adjustable independently at several areas thereof and in several points of its mounting. A deformation in any particular area may be corrected without reof the entire table.

adjustabmty eliminates the extremely diiicultv problem of adjusting the entire table top as a unit.

Although a specific embodiment of the inve'n-u tion has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A rotary table comprising a vertical supporting structure, a circular series of rollers carried thereby, a table top frame mounted on .said rollers, a circular series of table top plates mounted on said frame, means for individually adjusting the plane of each of said plates with respect to said frame, and means for locking each of said plates in its adjusted position.

2. A rotary table comprising a vertical supporting structure, a circular series of rollers carried thereby, means for adjusting the vertical position of the individual rollers on said structure, a table top frame mounted on said rollers, a circular series of table top plates mounted on said frame, means for individually adjusting the plane of each of said plates with respect to said frame. and means for locking each of said plates in its adjusted position.

3. A rotary table comprising a vertical supporting structure, a circular series of rollers carried thereby, a table top frame mounted on said rollers, a circular series of table top piates mounted on said frame, a levelling screw in the corner area of each plate and bearing on said frame for individually adjusting the plane of each of said plates with respect to said frame, and means for locking each of said plates in its adjusted position.

4. A rotary table comprising a vertical supporting structure, a circular series of brackets vertically adjustable on said structure, a roller carried by each bracket, a table top frame mounted on said rollers, a circular series of table top plates mounted on said frame, a levellingr screw in the corner area of each plate and bearing on said frame, and means for locking said plates in their adjusted positions.

5. A rotary table comprising a base, a circular series of uprights thereon, a bracket vertically adjustable on each upright, a roller carried by each bracket, a table top frame mounted on said rollers, a circular series of table top plates mounted on said frame, means for individually levelling said plates, and means for locking said plates in their adjusted positions.

6. A rotary table comprising a vertical supporting structure, a circular series of rollers carried thereby, means for adjusting the vertical position of the individual rollers on said structure, an outer ring mounted on said rollers, a post mounted in the center of said series, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said post, a hub plate carried by said sleeve, spokes joining said ring to said hub plate, an inner ring carried by said spokes, a Geneva wheel carried by said inner ring, table top plates mounted on said rings between said spokes, and means for individually levelling and locking said table top plates.

7. A rotary table comprising a vertical supporting structure, a circular series of rollers carried thereby, means for adjusting the vertical position of the individual rollers on said structure, an outer ring mounted on said rollers, a post mounted in the center of said series, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said post, a hub plate carried by said sleeve, spokes joining said ring to said hub plate, an inner ring carried by said spokes, a Geneva wheel carried by said inner ring, table top plates mounted on said rings between said spokes, levelling screws in said table top plates and bearing on said rings, and means for locking said plates in their adjusted positions.

8. A rotary table comprising a base, a circular series of uprights thereon, a bracket vertically adjustable 0n each upright, a roller carried by each bracket, a ring mounted on said rollers, a table top sup-ported on said ring, a post mounted in the center of said series, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said post, a hub plate carried by said sleeve, spokes joining said ring to said hub plate, an inner ring carried by said spokes, a Geneva wheel carried by said inner ring, table top plates mounted on said rings between said spokes, and means for individually levelling and locking said table top plates.

9. A rotary table comprising a base, a circular series of uprights thereon, a bracket vertically adjustable on each upright, a roller carried by each bracket, a table top supported on said rollers, a ring mounted on said rollers, a post mounted in the center of said series, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said post, a hub plate carried by said sleeve, spokes joining said ring to said hub plate, an inner ring carried by said spokes, a Geneva wheel carried by said inner ring, table top plates mounted on said rings between said spokes, levelling screws in said table top plates and bearing on said rings, and means for locking said plates in their adjusted positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 490,286 Hollowell Jan. 24, 1893 807,021 Falk Dec. 12, 1905 1,046,853 Proal Dec. 10, 1912 1,540,742 Angell June 9, 1925 1,740,831 Patterson Dec. 24, 1929 1,742,135 Cornell Dec. 31, 1929 1,764,182 Rawson June 17, 1930 1,862,485 McEwan June 7, 1932 2,043,969 Kutchera June 9, 1936 2,194,124 Rhodes Mar. 19, 1940 2,271,848 Tcimpidis Feb. 3, 1942 2,289,514 Mastney et al July 14, 1942 2,415,201 Zademach et al. Feb. 4, 1947 2,419,484 Danziger Apr. 22, 1947 

